Royals acquire second baseman Jonathan India from Reds in exchange for right-hander Brady Singer

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals acquired second baseman Jonathan India from the Cincinnati Reds on Friday, adding a reliable leadoff hitter and middle infielder to play alongside star shortstop Bobby Witt. -junior.

As part of the deal, the Royals also acquired outfielder Joey Wimera and sent right-hander Brady Singer to Cincinnati.

India, 27, was the National League Rookie of the Year in 2021 and batted .248 with 15 homers and 58 RBIs in 2024. He played in a career-best 151 games and issued 80 walks, fifth most in the majors. . He batted first in 341 of 523 career games.

With a contract worth $5.45 million next season, India is eligible for free agency in 2027.

India was selected fifth overall by FC Cincinnati in 2018, 13 spots ahead of Singer. They were college teammates in Florida.

Singer, 28, has been a regular in the Royals’ starting rotation since his debut during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. He went 9-13 with a 3.71 ERA in a career-best 179 2/3 innings in 2024, helping the Royals earn a berth in the AL playoffs.

Singer is 36-44 with a 4.28 ERA in 127 appearances, including 124 starts. He is eligible for arbitration in 2025 and free agency in 2027.

Wiemer was acquired by Cincinnati along with pitcher Jakob Junis in the July trade that sent pitcher Frankie Montas to Milwaukee. The 25-year-old outfielder played two games for the Reds and finished the season with Triple-A Louisville.

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